Essex County Cricket Club has dropped its Ilford cricket festival in favour of Southend.
The Club had confirmed its other festival week at Colchester, but was awaiting proposals from both Redbridge and Southend Councils before confirming the second venue.
David East, Essex Chief Executive said: "All our festivals have been experiencing financial difficulty over the last few years and our Committee decided some time ago that the Club could not continue to sustain three festivals in 2003.
"Southend has made a substantial commitment for 2003 and is prepared, in principle, to consider undertaking the staging of the event from 2004".
East said it was a great pity that the club would not be returning to Valentine's Park in Ilford next year.
"The decision to drop Ilford has been made on purely financial grounds, and in no way reflects on the commitment either Ilford Cricket Club or Redbridge Council has made to Essex in the past".
Tony North, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Sport at Southend Council said: "Everyone at the Council is delighted with the decision Essex County Cricket Club has taken. We look forward to working with the Club in securing the future of festival cricket".
More in today's Evening Echo
Published Friday November 1, 2002
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